What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($248)MiddleHigher-cost states ($315)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $315 and AR the lowest at $248, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
396 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 396 owner complaints naming this part, rack and pinion is named in 15% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the rack and pinion most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the rack and pinion too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 45%.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 396 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
Outcomes owners reported in complaints about this part. Towed: 55; Crash reported: 35; Injury reported: 16.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 396 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2019 is the largest at 55 (14%), followed by 2015 at 51 (13%); the smallest shown is 2024 at 3 (1%).
What do state inspectors fail cars for?
Among 8,738,476 initial safety inspections in North Carolina in 2017, steering mechanism caused 3.2 failed items per 1,000 inspections, the third most of the four components the state reports.
What it shows: Tires is the largest at 8.5, followed by Lights at 5.2; the smallest shown is Brake components at 1.9.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new steering and suspension parts rose 10.9% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
Prices of new steering and suspension parts, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New steering and suspension parts: +10.9%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 17 equipment recalls that name tie rod since 2015 (suspension and steering), covering 95,334 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Federal-Mogul Motorparts Llc in 2018, covered 26,118.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Federal-Mogul Motorparts Llc: Tie Rod End | linkages tie rod assembly | certain Tie Rod Ends, NAPA part number 269-6121, AC Delco part number 45A3098, McQuay-Norris part number. | 26,118 |
| 2017 | Dana Driveshaft Manufacturing, Llc: D-Series Steer. | linkages tie rod assembly | certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. | 25,300 |
| 2024 | Usk Internacional: Tie Rod / Draglink | linkages tie rod assembly | certain Tie Rod and Drag Link assemblies. The tie rod or drag link assembly may contain an improperly. | 20,962 |
| 2024 | Dana Incorporated: D Series Steer Axle, Replacement Tie. | linkages tie rod assembly | certain D-Series and E-Series Steer Axles, and replacement tie rod assemblies for Dana D-Series and E-Series. | 11,089 |
| 2019 | Capco Usa, Inc.: Outer Tie Rod | linkages tie rod assembly | certain CTR Outer Tie Rods sold for aftermarket installation. | 4,530 |
| 2018 | Trw Automotive Inc: Outer Tie Rod | linkages tie rod assembly | certain Outer Tie Rods, part number JTE7042, sold as replacement parts for certain 1988-2000 General Motors. | 2,392 |
| 2022 | Meritor, Inc.: Front Non Drive Steer Axl | linkages tie rod assembly | certain Front Non-Drive Steer Axles, FL941 & MFS Series. | 1,601 |
| 2021 | Tenneco Automotive: Tie Rod End | linkages tie rod assembly | certain MOOG tie rods, with part numbers EV801120 and EV800964, and NAPA NCP tie rods, with part number. | 1,306 |
| 2024 | Meritor, Inc.: Tie Rod Assembly | linkages tie rod assembly | certain replacement tie rods equipped with USK ball studs, part numbers A1-3102F4738, A1-3102E4737, and. | 475 |
| 2024 | Hendrickson Usa. L.L.C.: Composilite | linkages tie rod assembly | certain Composolite EXS20 steerable lift axle suspension assemblies. | 461 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 14 foreign recall campaigns that name tie rod with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Daimler Coaches North America in 2026-06.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12 | Mercedes-Benz | 262 | Giuseppe Page 2 Description of Issue MBAG has determined that certain MY21 S-Class vehicles (223 platform) may have been equipped with inner tie rods on the front axle steering that are the improper length for the vehicle type. |
| 2022-11 | Entrans International | 220 | If this condition occurs, the upper section of the sheared steer arm will remain attached to the knuckle by the mounting bolts and lower section of the steer arm will remain attached to the tie-rod assembly but potentially drag along the ground. |
| 2021-09 | Ford Motor Company | 201 | Sincerely, desi ujkashevic attachment docusign envelope id: 0569f771-01e5-4426-91cb-a6818f0c2572 global recall process report of field action manufacturer ford � international market groups type of action safety field action number 21s40 subject transit �. |
| 2025-08 | Kia America. | 119 | Eileen Sullivan Associate Administrator for Enforcement National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Attn: Early Warning Division (NVS-217) 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590 VIA EMAIL Re: TREAD Act Reporting of a Foreign Country Recall 2025MY. |
| 2022-06 | Chrysler (FCA US) | 095 | Date of Report: 06/09/2022 Determined by: Manufacturer's Name - Brand Name FCA US � RAM Report Type Safety Defect Identification of Affected Vehicles: Make(s) Model(s) Model Year(s) Inclusive Dates of Affected Start End Manufacture Model Population Start End. |
| 2025-06 | Hyundai Motor America | 081 | Description of the defect/noncompliance: The subject vehicles are equipped with outer tie rods that can become detached while driving due to out-of-specification threading at the shaft end(s). |
| 2026-06 | Daimler Coaches | 080 | 573.6(c)(3) Total Number of Vehicles Potentially 145 Affected: 573.6(c)(5) Defect Description: Due to a voluntary disclosure by the supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG, we have been informed that there may have been a manufacturing deviation in the ball joints. |
| 2026-02 | ZF. | 019 | 20590 Re: Report of Foreign Safety Campaign concerning aftermarket ZF Steering Rods manufactured with unhardened ball pins Dear Ms. |
How many lives have energy-absorbing steering assemblies saved?
NHTSA estimates energy-absorbing steering assemblies (FMVSS 203 and 204) saved 1,323 car occupants and 1,084 light-truck occupants in 2012 alone, and 79,989 occupants from 1960 to 2012.
| Technology | Car occupants saved in 2012 | Light truck occupants saved in 2012 | Car occupants saved 1960 to 2012 | Light truck occupants saved 1960 to 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| energy-absorbing steering assemblies (FMVSS 203 and 204) | 1,323 | 1,084 | 57,112 | 22,877 |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 6 NHTSA recalls that name tie rod filed 2015 to 2024, 87.0% of the 412,512 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 53,789 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Honda Civic | 264,567 | 86.5% | rack and pinion |
| 2021 | Nissan Sentra | 138,736 | 87.3% | linkages tie rod assembly |
| 2020 | Bmw X4, 330i; Toyota Supra | 2,779 | 98.3% | linkages tie rod assembly |
| 2024 | Ford F-650 Sd, F-750 Sd | 2,718 | 93.2% | linkages tie rod assembly |
| 2021 | Nissan Altima | 2,407 | 94.3% | linkages tie rod assembly |
| 2021 | Subaru Ascent | 1,305 | 93.6% | linkages tie rod assembly |
How bad are the streets in the biggest city, and does it show in suspension repairs?
New York City DOT's pavement inspections since 2021 rate 11.3% of inspected street length poor (1 to 3.99 on a 10-point scale), highest in Bronx (16.6%) and lowest in Brooklyn (8.6%); this is one city, not a national figure.
What it shows: Bronx is the largest at 16.6%, followed by Staten Island at 13.8%; the smallest shown is Brooklyn at 8.6%.
Which counties have the roughest roads?
FHWA's road-condition records show poor ride quality (above 170 inches per mile of roughness) on 89.1% of measured road miles in District of Columbia, DC, 74.1% in Baltimore city, MD and 65.4% in Marion County, WV, against 13.8% in the median county.
What it shows: District of Columbia, DC is the largest at 89.1%, followed by Baltimore city, MD at 74.1%; the smallest shown is New Castle County, DE at 51.9%.
Are the bridges and roads where I drive in poor condition?
FHWA's 2024 National Bridge Inventory rates 6.9% of an average state's highway bridges poor; the share is highest in IA (19.2%), WV and SD, against a median state of 6.0%.
What it shows: IA is the largest at 19.2%, followed by WV at 18.6%; the smallest shown is NY at 9.4%.
Which New York counties have the most bridges flagged poor?
New York State DOT flags 10.0% of the bridges in its inventory poor, and the share is highest in Ulster County (21.1%), Columbia (19.8%) and Rensselaer (19.6%); this is one state, not a national figure.
What it shows: Ulster is the largest at 21.1%, followed by Columbia at 19.8%; the smallest shown is Dutchess at 16.1%.
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for parts matched to a tie rod replacement since model year 2015, covering about 383,750 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a tie rod replacement since model year 2015 | 9 recall campaigns covering about 383,750 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-581 | Nissan Sentra 2020–2022 | 236,238 | A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V-461 | Nissan Sentra 2020–2021 | 138,736 | A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V-355 | BMW X4 2020; BMW 330i 2019–2020; BMW X3 2020 and 2 more | 2,779 | A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V-138 | Nissan Altima 2020–2021 | 2,407 | A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 17V-415 | Lexus ES350 2017 | 1,761 | If the lock nut loosens, the tie rod may separate causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V-954 | Subaru Ascent 2020 | 1,305 | The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 14V-246 | Chevrolet Tahoe 2015 | 477 | An improperly tightened tie rod attachment may allow the tie rod to separate from the steering rack, resulting in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. |
| 19V-601 | BMW X1 2018–2019; BMW X2 2019; MINI Cooper 2019 | 32 | A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
1 more recalls name this part, on smaller fleets. The car finder at the top checks yours.
NHTSA defect investigations naming this part (1)
| Case number | Vehicles | Opened | Status | What NHTSA looked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE24020 | Nissan Rogue 2021–2023 | Aug 5, 2024 | Closed Aug 24, 2026 | 2021 nissan rogue inner tie rod. |
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep | Wrangler 2026; Wrangler 4xe 2026 | 19-008-25 | Dec 31, 2025 | Tie Rod and Draglink Adjustment Clamp Fasteners Not Fully Secured Customers may comment on the following: Degrading steering alignment. |
| Jeep | Wagoneer 2024; Grand Wagoneer 2024 | 19-001-24 | Sep 26, 2024 | "Damaged Inner Tie Rod Boots The technician or customer may notice the following: A twisted, dented, or otherwise damaged inner tie rod boot(s). |
| Chevrolet | Malibu 2024 | N242444830 | May 13, 2024 | Service Update. On certain 2024 vehicles, the driver s side outer tie rod nut to steering knuckle may be under-torqued. |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee 2021–2023 | 1900423 | May 23, 2023 | Tie Rod Boot Noise While Turning The customer may experience one or more of the following: ? |
| Acura | MDX 2022–2023; MDX Type S 2022–2023 | B23-019 | May 4, 2023 | Service Bulletin - A clunk, click, or knock type of sound is heard from the steering area while turning due to the outer tie rod end nut becoming loose. |
| Jeep | Compass 2022 | 19-002-23 | Jan 21, 2023 | Outer Tie Rod Ball And Socket Noise This bulletin involves removing, greasing and reinstalling both tie rod outer ball joints. |
16 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Jaguar Monroeville has confirmed need for new steering rack, tie rods, etc costing $8900 including labor.
However, because Ram recognized this vulnerability, they completely superseded the part with a redesigned assembly that forces consumers to purchase new, non-faulty tie rod assemblies just to make it compatible, inflating costs to over $6,000.
The service advisor calls today and wants to charge me $1800 to replace the tie rods.
Turned out to be a fuse but I had to wait two extra hours until a mechanic who could use the computer came in.The front tie rod ends are completely shot on a well cared for car after only 17000 miles.
Check your car
Tie rod replacement cost starts at $210–$360 for one outer tie rod, alignment included, according to the calculator above. The price moves most with which rod is bad (outer or inner), how many sides need work and whether the shop sells the inner rod alone or only with a steering rack.
What does a tie rod replacement cost cover?
The default estimate covers one outer tie rod end, the labor to swap it and an alignment ($80–$120 of the total). The alignment is part of the job, not an upsell: a new rod changes the length of the steering link, so the toe setting has to be reset.
It leaves out a second side, an inner rod, a steering rack and any other worn part the shop finds once the wheel is off. It also leaves out taxes and shop fees.
How much does each tie rod job cost?
Pick the row that matches what your shop diagnosed. Prices are the calculator's, each with an alignment.
| Job | Estimate |
|---|---|
| One outer tie rod (default) | $210–$360 |
| One outer tie rod, independent shop | $190–$340 |
| One inner tie rod | $240–$430 |
| Outer tie rods, both sides | $240–$440 |
The inner rod costs more because the shop has to pull back the rack boot and use a special tool to reach it. The labor is the difference, not the part.
Is it the tie rod, and how urgent is it?
A worn tie rod usually shows up as a loose or wandering steering wheel, a clunk over bumps, or a front tire that wears on one edge. A shop can confirm it in minutes by shaking the wheel with the car on a lift. Ask to see the play.
Treat it as urgent. A tie rod that separates takes steering away from that wheel, and the fix costs far less than a tow or a crash. Book the repair this week and drive gently until then.
How do you get a fair tie rod quote?
Ask the shop three things. Is the quote for an outer rod, an inner rod or both? Is the alignment included, and is it a four-wheel alignment? Is the rod sold separately on your car, or only as part of the steering rack?
The last question matters most. On some cars the inner rod is not sold alone, so the quote becomes a steering rack job priced well above the table. If your quote is that high for rods, ask for the part number and get a second quote.
What does the estimate leave out?
The estimate does not know your car's rust, your shop's labor rate or whether a seized rod needs extra time. It also does not include a steering rack. Ask the shop to write the rod type, side and alignment on the quote so you can compare it with the table above.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to replace tie rods in pairs?
No. Only the worn rod needs replacing, but ask the shop to check the other side while the car is on the lift. The "both sides" row above shows what replacing a pair costs.
Do I need an alignment after a tie rod?
Yes. The new rod changes the toe setting, and skipping the alignment wears the front tires fast. The default estimate already includes it.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA defect investigation file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- North Carolina Division of Air Quality, Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspection Frequency Study data from 2017
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU14120502); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA, Lives Saved by Vehicle Safety Technologies and Associated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 1960 to 2012 (DOT HS 812 069) data from 2015
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NYC DOT, Street Pavement Ratings (NYC Open Data 6yyb-pb25), SystemRating bands from the NYC DOT pavement rating metadata data from 2025
- FHWA Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) national section data, roughness (IRI) by county; poor-ride cut from the FHWA Conditions and Performance Report data from 2026
- FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 delimited state files (highway bridges, BRIDGE_CONDITION code P) data from 2024
- New York State DOT, Bridge Conditions (NYS Open Data wpyb-cjy8), poor_status flag data from 2025
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts.
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($258–$300) on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 2% above the middle of that range. Methodology